Dame Stephanie Shirley/Private Passions – Radio 3

The above – known by her family nickname Steve – was the guest on Private Passions hosted by Michael Berkeley.

She led a remarkable life.

Separated from her parents aged 5, she was put on a train as one of the Kindertransport. These children were sent to western countries and some never saw their parents again.

Despite such a traumatic start to life (I guess some might say because of) some of these children achieved enormous success as, for example, the film director Karel Reisz (The French Lieutenant’s Woman) and the artist Frank Auerbach.

Another was Steve, who made a fortune in computers.

Yet life continues to deliver harshly.

Her only son Giles by Derek – a physicist – turned out to be autistic and died in his late 30s.

Giles spent most of his life in an asylum. Steve became a philanthropist and set up charities to promote better understanding of autism.

Aged 87, she still leads an active life despite the loss of husband Derek after a 62 year marriage.

She did meet up with her biological parents but it was not that successful, the expectations exceeding the reality.

It is quite a life to share with the listener and at one point – in discussing the death of her son Giles – she broke down altogether.

It’s a story of how someone can not just make it, despite incredible setbacks, but also give so much back.

The only time I felt less than total sympathy was when Steve referred to being a feminist and objected to being condescended by the words “pet” and “love”.

In the greater scheme of such a life this hardly seemed the most severe of obstacles.

The programme was a repeat and is available on BBC Sounds.